Gauging device



Jan. 15, 1946. E. F. MARTINEC GAUGING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 15, 1943 Jan. 15, 1946., E. F. MARTINEC GAUGING DEVICE Filed March 15, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnome/6 Fan. 15, 1946. E. F. MARTINEC GAUGING DEVICE 3Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 15, 1943 Patented Jan. 15, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAUGIN G DEVICE Eugene F. Martinec, Cleveland, Ohio Application March 15, 1943, Serial No. 479,242

17 Claims.

This invention relates -to gauging instruments and has for an object to provide a simple and efiective device for accurately gauging various parts or elements and one which may be employed to operate an indicating means either visible, audible, element sorting or separating and the like.

In this device a gauging element operates through control of the grid circuit of a vacuum tube, particularly by breaking this circuit under given conditions, to produce a signal or other manifestation or cause operation of some device or apparatus.

It is also an object to provide a device of this character which will insure suflicient time in the gauging. operation for low-price high inertia translating equipment controlled by said gauging operation to function accurately and positively.

'It is another object to provide such a device which may be constructed and assembled as a small unit and one which may be assembled and adjusted independently of its application and may be mounted as a unit on an application locating support in position for gauging desired parts or elements involved, and at the same time may be used in connection with the device with which it is so located to control operation of such device on the elements to be gauged to control them within predetermined small limits.

A particular object is to provide a construction and arrangement which utilizes the breaking of contacts in the grid circuit of a vacuum tube to produce a signal or put into operation any type of electrical or electrically controlled-manifestation desired, such for example as automatically sorting parts being gauged, or automatically performing any operation desired, said desired operation depending on the size of the part being gauged.

With the foregoing and other objects in view I have devised the construction and arrangement illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown but may employ various changes and modificadrawings are somewhat diagrammatical but show the device in sufiicient detail that the principles of construction and operation may be readily understood.

In these drawings:

Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation and partial tions within the scope of the invention. These section, the section being substantially on line operating means for the selector, and

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of the mounting for the selector.

This invention was developed for the purpose of filling a definite need on the part of industry for gauging equipment capable of not only automatically gauging parts or elements to within .0001 inch or less, but which also could be used to automatically grade them and sort them into bins or receptacles according to size. Gauges now largely employed are dependent upon the human element to correctly read the gauge, and then depend on the operator to sort the articles according to such readings in the correct receptacle. The ordinary dial type of gauge is rather diflicult to read and becomes extremely tiresome to the operator where a large number of pieces are handled, resulting in' liability to error, which tendency increases as the number of pieces handled is increased. In an attempt to remedy this condition several so-called electro-limit gauges and other types of electric gauges have been developed which spread the indication of size over a much larger dial area so as to make them easier for the operator to read. All the electric gauges are extremely critical devices and require considerable setting and maintaining of adjustment, and in addition are quite expensive and complicated. In spite of the larger dial area for any given tolerance provided by these electric type gauges, they are still subject to the human element incorrectly reading and sorting the pieces.

To overcome these difficulties and problems I have devised the present construction which will not only automatically register extremely small tolerances, but may also be employed to sort the measured piece into its correct receptacle. In this invention the extremely simple gear type dial gauge, which over a good many years has proved to be extremely durable and accurate, is employed, and there is built around it and assembled therewith in a complete unit, means of translating the reading. given by the dial gauge into any amount of energy necessary for correctly indicating the reading or doing any type of feeding,

electrical or electrically controlled manifestation desired, such for example as automatically sorting the parts being gauged or automatically performing any operations desired, so that such manifestations or operations will depend on the size of the article to be gauged. No special equipment in the form of special vacuum tubes, relays or other similar equipment is necessary, as standard devices readily available on the market may be employed. All vacuum tubes and relays used may be of standard types produced in large quantities for other purposes and therefore may be readily secured on the market.

The device illustrated comprises a housing l made of suitable material, preferably a suitable molded plastic material or die casting, and may for convenience and simplicity of molding comprise two or more sections secured together, as for example in the present case a body portion ll having suitable chambers i2 and I3 in which may be mounted various elements of the device and which may be open through one side of the bodyv portion of the housing, as for example a top thereof, to facilitate mounting the elements'in these chambers and gaining access thereto, and which chambers may be closed by any suitable top or closure section 54.

The housing also includes a split lateral extension or frame I5 having an opening it therethrough to receive and embrace an application locating post or support II on which it is adjustable to permit location of the housing in a desired position with relation to other elements and to position the indicating arm or pointer of a gauging element at zero or any other point, as determined by a master part, and on which post or support the housing may be clamped in adjusted position by clamping screw 18. This post or support may be mounted on an automatic machine,

machine tool or other device with which the gauging device is to be used, and is also provided with a locking collar I9 also embracing the post i! and split so that it may be clamped in the desired position on this post or support by a clamping screw 20. The frame portion i5 is com nected to this collar by a micrometer adjusting screw 2i, mounted for turning movement in the collar l9, as indicated at 22, and held therein against longitudinal movement, and having threaded connection with the housing frame i5. Thi may be a single or double micrometer screw as desired and is designed for close micrometer adjustments of the housing with respectto the collar to .properly locate the housing and the gauging means carried thereby with respect to the gauging table or support indicated diagrammatically at 23 andpermit locating of the device with the indicating arm or pointer oi the gauging element at the zerovposition or any other position with respect to the master or standard pa or element 24 with which the elements to be gauged are to be compared, as will be more fully described later. The collar l9 may be clamped in the desired position on the post or support l1, and after loosening the clamping aaeasso screw l8, the housing may be raised or lowered by the micrometer screw 2! to the desired position and then clamped in this position by again tightening or setting the screw 20.

Mounted in the housing is a gauging element 25, and although for this purpose various types of gauging or measuring mechanism may be used, I prefer a typical gear type dial 'gauge which has over a good many years of use proved to be extremely durable and accurate. A satisfactory type of this mechanical gauging element is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically and comprises a movable gauging stem 26 guided for vertical sliding movement and projecting from the housing in position to engage the element to be gauged, such as a master gauge block 24 (shown in Fig. 2) for setting the device, and the element to be gauged and compared with this master block, such for example as the circular element 21 shown in the gauging position in Fig. 4. It is to be understood that this stem need not directly engage the element being gauged, but could engage an intervening member whose position is determined by the element so that the position of the stem is determined by this element. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in my pending application filed of even date herewith, Serial No. 479,243, and indicated as Case F. This movable stem 26 is connected by a rack 28 and suitable gearing 29 with an indicating arm or pointer 30 pivoted at 3i the gearing being such as to step up or amplify the movement of the stem 26 to give a much larger movement of the indicating arm. This arm or pointer may move over a suitable indicating dial 32, and has a zero setting slot 33 or other indicating means to indicate when it is in zero or any other position over the dial. A spring 3t tends to shift the stem 26 downwardly to engage the article being gauged.

The indicator arm 30 is extended on the opposite side of the pivot 3i where it is provided with a tail portion 35 carrying a contact 36. This tail portion is electrically insulated from the indicating arm by an insulating barrier 31. Lower or downward movement of this portion is limited by a stop pin 38 and upward movement is limited by a. similar stop pin 39. In use the housing and the dial gauge are so mounted or located in respect to the gauge bed 23 that the pointer or indicating arm 30 and with it the tailpiece 35 will assume some position in respect to the dial 32, depending on the size of the part being gauged. It will be seen from the gearing indicated that the larger the part 21 being gauged, the higher on the dial will be the position of the pointer 30. It is, however, shown in its highest position in Fig. 2 with the tailpiece 35 at its lowest position against the stop 38. The ratio of the gearing in this dial gauge may be any value desired and by means of compound gearing can be several hundred to one. In both Figs. 2 and 4 this gearing is shown diagrammatically, and although it is indicated somewhat difierently in Fig. 4 for simplicity, it still operates in the same manner as that in Fig. 2.

Mounted in the housing, for example in the upper part of chamber 13, is a slow-acting solenoid 40, which has a vertically moving plunger ll forming a control member which carries at its lower end a mounting 42 for a contact 43 adapted to cooperate with the contact 36, the mounting 42 being electrically insulated from the plunger by the barrier 44. At its upper end the plunger 4| carries an insulating yok 45, having upper and lower spaced fingers 48 and 41. Normally the tailpiece 35 i held downwardly against the stop 38 as shown in Fig. 2, by the weight of the solenoid plunger 4|. This plunger is provided with a head 48 operating in a dashpot 49 so'that the plunger will movewith a relatively slow uniform movement. The plunger 4| also carries a contact arm 50 adapted to move over and engage a series of spaced stationar contacts 5|, 52, 53, 64 and 55. Associated with the yoke 45 is a movable spring contact 56 adapted to engage a stationary contact 51 and it may be held in this position by a permanent magnet 58. The spring action 01' the contact 56-, however, tends tomove it away from the contact 51. The solenoid 40 is connected by suitable wiring 59 with one side of a source of electric current 60 which may be a battery or I the usual wiring system of a building, and connections may :be made from the parts in the housing I to such wiring such as by a flexible cable 6| (Fig. l) and a plug-in cap 62 which may be plugged into any suitable outlet receptacle. The other side of the power source 60 may be connected by wiring 63 with the spring contact 56. The stationary contact is connected by wiring 64 with the other side of the solenoid 40. The plunger 4| and contact arm 50 are electrically connected by a wire 65 to a contact 66 of a relay 61 having a spring contact 68 adapted to engage the contact 66, but because of spring action is normally separated from the contact 66. The spring contact 68 is connected by a wire 69 with the wire 64. The operating solenoid of the relay 6! is connected to the plate or output circuit of the amplifier or vacuum tube 10.. The tailpiece 35 and mounting piece 42 are connected by wiring II and I2 respectively to the grid circuit of the tube I0 so that this circuit is controlled by the contacts 36 and 43.

The indicating device, in this case a selector for sorting the parts being gauged, is shown somewhat diagrammatically at the lower part of Fig. 4. It comprises a series of solenoids 73, I4, and I6 of diiferent lengths so that their plungers .11 to 80 respectively will have diiferent lengths of travel, and each plunger is operatively connected with a selector 8|. In this case'the selector is in the form of a sector pivoted at 82 to a suitable support 83 and a spring 84 tends to hold it in the retracted position against a suitable limit stop 85.,

One arm 86 of the spring engages a suitable pin or abutment 81 on the support 83 while the other arm 88 engages a similar pin or abutment 89 on the selector sector. Too rapid movement of the sector 8| is prevented and a uniform relatively slow movement thereof effected by a dashpot 90 whose plunger 9| is connected to the sector 8|. The sector is provided with a series of openings 92, 93, 90, 95 and 96 forming the entrances to a series of chutes (not shown) leading to a series of separate compartments or bins (also not shown). These openings are so arranged that when, the sector 8| is in the normal or retracted position the opening 96 is under or in alignment with the discharge opening 91 in the gauging support or table 23 into which the piece 21 after being gauged is discharged when it is shifted from its position under the gauging stem 26, and the openings 92 to 95 are so arranged that when the sector 8| is shifted by the solenoids I3 to I5 these openings are respectively brought to position under orin alignment with the discharge opening 91. That is, when the sector 8| has been shifted by operation of the plunger 11 of the solenoid I3, opening 92 is under the opening solenoid I4 opening 83 is brought under the opening 81, and so on.

Each of the stationary contacts 52, 53, 54 and is connected respectively with one of the solenoids 13, 14, 15 and I6 by the lead wires 88, 99, I00 and I0 I, and the other end of each solenoid by the lead I02 to lead I03 from one side of the power source 60. Each solenoid is connected to the side of the power source opposite that from the lead 63 which is connected to the spring contact 56 and is normally connected through this contact with the lead 69 to the spring contact 68, the cooperating contact 66 being connected through the lead to the plunger 4| and the movable contact 50, which as previously described is movable over and cooperates with the contacts 5| to 55. The movable plungers of the solenoids I3 to I6 are each operatively connected with the sector 8| through a hook connection I04 operated by each solenoid and engaging a curved extension or tail I05 of the sector 8|. By means of this arrangement this forms a one-way connection so that the tail I05 may be shifted to the left independently of each hook I04, and therefore this tail may be so shifted by each hook I04 and each solenoid independently of each of the other solenoids, and the sector 8| may be shifted by each solenoid independently of each of the other solenoids.

A sustaining circuit is provided for each of the solenoids I3 to I6 so that after any solenoid is energized by the control mechanism, as will presently be described, the circuit through this solenoid will be maintained until the result or effect of the operation of the solenoid has been completed. Thus associated with each solenoid is an auxiliary switch III the contacts of which are normally separated but are so located that the movable contact thereof is shifted by the respective solenoid plunger as this plunger reaches the end df its operative movement. For this purpose each solenoid plunger has an extension or tailpiece 2 arranged to engage the movable contact of each switch I II as the plunger reaches the end of its movement to close the switch and maintain a sustaining circuit through the solenoid. The stationary contact of each switch III is connected by a lead 3 to the lead 64 so that the circuit is controlled by the switch 56, and the movable contact of each switch III is connected with the leads 98 to ml respectively leading to the particular solenoid involved The circuit from the source of power 60 may be controlled by a hand or other suitable switch H4.

The amplifier") and the relay 61 may be mounted in the housing I0 and connect :d with the various elements as indicated in the wiring diagram, the indication of these elements in the housing being shown diagrammatically. For easy and quick connection and disconnection ,of the assembled unit, represented by the housing and the parts assembled and mounted therein, and the indicating means or field application such for example as the sorting device illustrated, may be effected by a detachable connection such for example as an attachment plug cap I06 connected with the required elements within the unit by a flexible cable or connection. I01 and suitable wiring, as indicated in Fig. 4, and having the required number of contact pins I08 each connected to the proper lead and ada ted for insertion in a receptacle plug or connection I06 whose socket or receptacle contacts 0 are arranged to receive and engage the respective pin 81; when itiis shifted by the plunger I8 oi the I contacts I66 and in turn are connected by the proper leads to the various elements to be operated or controlled, in this case the solenoids 13 to 16.

The operation is as follows: As previously described, the tail part 35 of the indicating arm is normally held down against a stop 38, as shown in Fig. 2, because of the weight of the solenoid plunger 4|, which plunger carries the contact 43 and thus holds it in this position against the contact 36 on the tailpiece 35, also as shown in Fig. 2. In this position the yoke 45 which is made of insulating material is also in its lowest position and because of its upper finger 46 engaging the spring contact 56 has forced it into engagement with the contact 51. In this position the contact arm 50 is on the lowest contact The action of forcing the tailpiece 35 downwardly to the stop 38 has, due to the gearing 29 in the gauge element 25, raised the gauging stem 26 upward so that the part 21 which is to be gauged can be easily positioned under this stem. r

Now if the switch 4 is closed completing the circuit from the power supply 60 the solenoid 4|] will be energized because the circuit through it is closed by the contacts 56 and 51 and the solenoid plunger 4| will begin to rise slowly because of the dashpot 49 or other slow-acting control means and the tailpiece 35 will rise with this plunger because of the biasing spring 34 in the gauge, keeping the contact 36 in engagement with the contact 43, thus keeping the grid circuit of the amplifier closed. Upward movement of the tailpiece 35 and downward movement of the indicator pointer 36 will be limited by the stop 39 unless their movements are previously arrested by a part 21 to be gauged under the gauging stem 26. This part 21 is of suificient size that as the tailpiece 35 rises the stem 26 moves downwardly until it comes in contact with the part 21 being gauged at which time any further movement of the tall 35 upward is prevented. .At this instant further movement of the plunger 4| upwardly will separate the contacts 36 and 43, thus breaking the grid circuit of the vacuum tube amplifier 10. During the upward movement of the solenoid plunger 4| carrying with it the yoke 45 the spring contact 56 remains in engagement with the contact 51 as it is held in this position by the permanent magnet 58, thus maintaining the circuit through the solenoid 46. This circuit is not broken until the yoke 45 reaches its uppermost position at which time the bottom finger 41 of the yoke engages the spring contact 56 and forces it upwardly away from the contact 51.

As previously described, the output circuit of the amplifier terminates in a relay winding 61 controlling the normally open contacts 66 and 66. The amplifier is so designed that sufficient current is caused to flow through the winding 61 to close the switch contacts 66, 66 when the grid circuit is broken by separation of the contacts 36 and 43. s

It will now be seen that whichever contact 52, 53, 54 or 55 the movable contact arm 56 is on when the grid circuit is broken by separation of the contacts 36 and 43 and therefore the relay contacts 66 and 66 are closed, is the one that will have its circuit completed through this relay switch 66, 66 and the source of power 60; Therefore the corresponding solenoid of solenoids 13 to 16 will be energized to shift its plunger and correspondingly shift the selector ill to bring the corresponding opening 92 to 65 into a position under and in alignment with the discharge opening 31.

To set the device, a master part indicated diagrammatically at 24 (Fig. 2) of exactly the correct size desired is placed under the stem 26 and the gauge so adjusted by shifting the housing l6 through operation of micrometer screw 2| that the contacts 36 and 43 break when the contact arm 66 is onthe upper contact 55. If the contacts 52 to 55 are spaced one measuring unit apart in respect to pointer calibration, then if a, piece one unit over the master size is placed under the stem 26 the engagement of contacts 36 and 43 will be broken when the arm 50 is on contact 54. If the piece is two units over the master size then engagement of contacts 36 and 43 will be broken when the contact arm 50 is on the contact 53, and so on.

Referring now to the linkage or operative connections between the solenoids 13 to 16 and the selector 3|, it will be noted that if forinstance solenoid 13 is energized because the size of the part being gauged is such that contacts 36 and 63 separate when contact arm 56 is on contact 53, the solenoid 14 will be kept energized after the contacts 36 and 43 separate because the auxiliary contacts ill were closed at the end of the movement of the plunger 18 and therefore maintain the circuit through the solenoid until it is broken by shifting of the spring contact 56 by the lower finger 41 of yoke 45 when the plunger 4| reaches the end of its upward movement. Even if solenoids 15 and 16 are later energized, they do not affect the position of the selector 6| because their plungers have a shorter stroke. Consequently, if on its way up the contact arm 50 is on the contact 53 when the contacts 36 and 43 separate, resulting in a signal to the special amplifier 16 which in turn closes the relay contacts 66 and 68, the selector 8| will assume a position governed by solenoid 14 and that position will not be changed if the solenoids 15 and 16 are subsequently energized, as the plunger 4| and the contact arm 56 complete their upward travel. In this way the proper compartment of selector 8| is brought into position under the discharge opening 91' in the gauging table 23. It will be noted that the lower contact 5| is not connected with a solenoid as its position represents the position of the selector in its normal position with its opening 96 in alignment with the opening 91 and therefore nothing needs to be energized to bring it to this position.

As yoke 45 reaches its upper limit of travel it shifts the contact 56 from the contact 51 and therefore not only breaks the circuit of the slowacting solenoid 4|). but also the holding circuit to any solenoid 13 to 16 which has been set up by closing of the auxiliary contacts for that solenoid. The plunger 4| then drops by gravity, again contacting the tailpiece 35 and pushign it downward, thereby lifting the stem 26 and completing the cycle with this stem 26 pulled upwardly to its upper position ready for receivmg another part 21 for a gauging operation. The operation of the plunger 4| in going up and down is entirely automatic so long as electric power is supplied to the solenoid 40.

The contacts 5| to 55 are so spaced as to correspond with movement of the plunger 4| and therefore movement of the indicating arm 36 corresponding to one measuring unit, and the conaseastc which time the spring contact 58 is shifted from the contact ill and snaps into engagement with the contact 51, thus completing the circuit higher contact. Thus if the piece 21 is of a size so that downward movement of the stem 25 is arrested when the arm 50 bridges the contacts 52 and 53 when the grid circuit through the amplifier is broken, then both solenoids l3 and will be energized but, due to the one-way connection I04 to the tailpiece I05 of the selector, the selector will be shifted to correspond with the movement of the solenoid plunger having the longest stroke, in this case tnesolenoid 13, so that under these conditions the selector 8| will be shifted to bring the opening 92 under discharge opening 91 and a piece which is half a measuring unit over the given size will be placed with the parts of one full unit larger size.

It will be understood that there may be as many contacts 52 to 55 representing as many measuring units as desired, and that the selector 8| can be made with as many corresponding positions and discharge openings. It will also be understood that contacts 52 to 55 can be connected to and control any type of electrically energized equip ment which may be desired, and by the addition of an automatic feeding and ejecting means for the parts being gauged complete automatic op eration may be obtained. Such a feeding and ejecting means is indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 4 and comprises a feed chute I I5 leading from any suitable feed hopper (not shown) and mounted to deliver pieces 21 to be gauged one at a time to gauging position under the stem 26. This may be accomplished by having the discharge end of the' chute I|5 spaced from an upright back wall 6 on the base support 23 spaced so as to allow only one piece 21 at a time to drop from the chute 5 into the gauging position. After the piece has been gauged, as described, an ejector plunger I.

will be operated to shift the piece just gauged from.

the gauging position to the discharge opening 91 through which it will drop into one of the openings 92 to 96 of the selector 8| depending upon where the selector has been positioned as a result of the gauging operation, and therefore the piece will be conducted to the proper compartment or bin. The ejector plunger II! is operated automatically at the proper time by a solenoid H8 connected at one end by lead H9 to one side of the source of power 60 and at the other end by lead I20 to the contact MI in position to be engaged by the contact 56 after it has been shifted 4| reaches the upper limit of its movement at the end of the gauging operation and the lower finger 4'! of the yoke 45 engages the spring contact 56 to shift it from engagement with the contact 51, the contact 56 will snap into engagement with contact I20 and close the circuit through the ejector solenoid I I8, thus operating the plunger H! to shift the piece 21 just gauged from the gauging position to the discharge opening 91. Contact 56 will be held in this position by a permanent magnet I22 until it is shifted downwardly by the upper finger 46 of the yoke 35, when this yoke drops with the plunger 4| after the circuit through the solenoid 40 has been broken. This action will occur as the yoke approaches the limit of its downward movement at through the solenoid 40 for the next gauging,

cycle. As the contact 56 is shifted from the contact I2! the circuit through the solenoid H8 is broken and the plunger III is withdrawn to its normal position by the spring I23.

The setup of the device shown is illustrated with a sorting device for sorting out the elements being gauged according to size and depositing elements of the same size or sizes within predetermined lirmts in the same receptacle. This is shown as one example of the way the device may be employed to control various devices, such for example as an indicating device, as either visible or audible indicating means, a suitable sorting or separating means for the elements being gauged as above disclosed, or any other desired means. l'he term indicating means is used in a broad sense as meaning any one of a number of different devices, such for example as a physical indicator,

' an audible signal, sorting means, adjusting means on a machine tool or otnenmachine to be controlled, and so forth or any device affected or controlled by the circuit or circuits controlled through the cooperation of the indicator arm and its tailpiece 35 positioned by the gauging stem cooperating with the parts being gauged and the movement of the plunger 4|.

Although this device has been illustrated and described in a set-up for gauging a series of round elements, it is to be understood that this set-up has been given merely as'one example of the large number of applications for which the device is adapted. In other words, it is not limited to the application specifically described and illustrated but may be employed for a large number of difierent applications and controls. Examples of these are shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive of my copending application Serial No. 479,- 239, filed of even date herewithand designated as Case A. These figures with their descriptions give examples of various different applications in which the device may be used for controlling various devices and eifects, and their description and illustration are not included in this application in order to simplify and reduce the amount of disfrom the contact 51. Thus just before the plunger,

- closure in the present case and avoid unnecesconnected with the control member and normally resting by the weight of the control member on the first contact and holding the movable member in a, position with the stem raised,'a plurality of selector circuits, a. selecting means movable with the control member for controlling said circuits, means controlled by the respective circuits,

an amplifier including a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected to the said contacts to be controlled thereby, a. switch controlled by said amplifier, said switch being connected with the selecting means to control said circuits, and means for shifting the control member to per- 6 2,892,856 first contact and then to shift the second contact mit the stem to drop against an article in the gauging position and to operate the selecting means.

2. A gauging device comprising a housing,

means for adjustably mounting the housing on an application locating support, a mechanical gauging element in the housing including a movable gauging stem adapted to en ge an element being gauged and a movable member connected with said stem to be positioned thereby, means tending to move said stem toward an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with the said movable member for movement therehold the second contact in engagement with the with, a movable control member mounted in the housing, a contact connected with the control member, said control member tending to move to hold said latter contact normally in engagement with the first contact and to hold the stem spaced from the article to be gauged, a plurality of selector circuits, a selecting means movable with the control member for controlling said circuits, means controlled by the respective circuits, an amplifier including a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected to the said contactsto be controlled thereby, a switch controlled by said amplifier, said switch being connected with the selecting means to control said circuits, and means to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, an amplifier including a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected with said contacts to be controlled thereby, a pluralit of selector circuits, a selecting means movable with the control member for controlling said circuits, means: controlled by the amplifier for controlling the selecting means, and means to shift said control member to permit the gauging member to move into engagement with the element and arrest movement of the first contact and to then shift the second contact from the first to control said amplifier.

4. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a

- contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, saidcontrol member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, a plurality of spaced stationary contacts, a. plurality of circuits connected with said contacts, a selecting contact connected with the control member and movable thereby over the stationary contacts, an amplifier controlled by the first contacts, means controlled by the amplifier connected with the selecting contact to control said circuits, and means to shift the control member to permit the gauging member to move into engagement with the element to be gauged and arrest movement of the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, a plurality of selector circuits including aplurality of stationary spaced contacts connected one to each circuit, a selecting contact movabl with the plunger to engage said sta-' tionary contacts in succession, an amplifier including a vacuum tube -having its grid circuit connected with the first contacts to be controlled thereby, a switch controlled by said amplifier and connected to the selecting meansto control said selector circuits, a solenoid for shiftingthe plunger to permit the gauging member to move into engagement with the element to b gauged and arrest movement of the first contact and then to separate the second contact from the first to control the amplifier, a switch for controlling the solenoid, and means operated by the contacts and controlled thereby, a solenoid for shifting the plunger to permit the gauging member to move into engagement with the element to be gauged and arrest movement of the first contact and to then separate the second contact from the first 'tc'control said electrical, device, a switch for controlling the solenoid, and means movable with the plunger to control said switch.

7. A gauging device comprising amovable gauging member adapted to-engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to b positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable'plunger, a contact connected with the plunger and movable therewith, said plunger tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, an amplifier including a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected with said contacts to be controlled thereby, a plurality of selector circuits, a selecting means movable with the plunger for controlling said circuits, means controlled by the amplifier for controlling the selecting means, a slow acting solenoid for shifting the plunger to permit th gauging member to move into engagement with the element to .be gauged and arrest movement of the first contact and then separate the second contact from the first to control said amplifier. a switch for controlling the solenoid, and means operated by the plunger to control said switch,

8. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected aaeasae with said member to b positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, an electrical device connected with said contacts and controlled thereby, a plurality of selector circuits, selecting means movable with the control member for controlling said circuits, means controlled by said electrical device for controlling th selecting means, a movable selector provided with a plurality of openings adapted to receive the article being gauged after leaving the gaugingposition and direct it to different compartments, means in each circuit for shifting the selector means and each arranged to shift said selector a different amount from each f the other circuits to position the respective openings, means for shifting the control member to permit the gauging member to engage the element to be gauged and then separate the first contacts to control said electrical device, and means for shifting the article from the gauging position to the selector.

9. A gauging device comprising a movable a movable selector provided with a plurality of gauging member adapted to engage an element tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a

contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, an amplifier including/a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected with said contacts to be controlled thereby, a plurality of spaced stationary contacts, a plurality of selectorcircuits connected with said contacts, a movable selector provided with a plurality of openings adapted to receive the article being gauged after leaving the gauging position and direct it to diiferent compartments, a solenoid in each selector circuit including an armature connected with the selector and each having a different length of movement contact connected with the control member and movable thereby over the stationary contacts, a switch controlled by the amplifier and connected with said selecting contact to control the selector circuits, means for shifting the control member to permit the gauging member to move into engagement with the article to be gauged and arrest movement of the first contact and then to separate the second contact from the first to control the amplifier, and means to shift the gauged article from the gauging position to the selector.

10. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending toshift the member into engagement with the element, a movable plunger, a contact connected with the plunger and movable therewith, said plunger tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, an amplifier including a'vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected with said contacts to be controlled thereby, a plurality of spaced stationary contacts, a plurality of selector circults connected one to each stationary contact,

a selecting contact movabl with the plunger to openings adapted to receive the articles after they are shifted from the gauging position and direct them to different compartments; a solenoid in each selector circuit including an armature connected to the selector by a one-way connection so that each armature is adapted to shift the selector independently of each of the other armatures and each armature having a different length of movement from each of the other armatures to impart a different movement to the selector to locate the respective openings in article receiving position, a slow acting solenoid to shift the plunger to permit the gauging member to engage an article, in the gauging position and arrest movement of the first contact and then separate the second contact from the first to control the grid circuit, a switch to control said latter solenoid, .means operated by this solenoid to control said latter switch, and means for shifting the articles from the gauging position to the contact connected with the movable member for said latter contact normally in engagement with the first contact and to hold the gauging member spaced from the element to be gauged, an

amplifier including a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected with said contacts to be controlled thereby, means controlled by the amplifier, and means for shifting the control member to move the second contact in a direction away from the first contact and permit the gauging member to move against an element'in the gauging position.

12. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to toe gauged, a movable member connected with said gauging member to be positioned thereby, an electrical contact connected with said movable member for movement therewith, means tending to shift the gauging member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a contact connected with-said control member and movable therewith, said control member tending a move to normally hold said second contact in engagement with the first and to retain said gauging member spaced from the element, a plurality of selector circuits, a selecting means movable with the control member to control said circuits, an electrical means controlled by the contacts and controlling said selecting means, and 'means to shift the control member to permit the gauging member to engage the elements to be gauged and to then separate the contacts to control the selecting means.

13. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, a movable member connected with said gauging member to be positioned thereby, an electrical contact connected with said movable member for movement therewith, means her and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold said second contact in engagement with the first and to retain said gauging member spaced from the element, an electrical device controlled by said contacts, and means to shift the control member to permit the gauging member to engage the element to be gauged and then separate the contacts to control said device.

14. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member intoengagement with the element, a movable control member, a contact to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with.

the element, a movable control member, a contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally retain the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said gauging memberspaced from the element, an electrical device connected with said contacts and controlled thereby, electrical means for shifting the control member to permit the gauging member to move connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said" member spaced from the element, an amplifier including a vacuum tube having its grid circuit connected said amplifier.

15. A gauging device comprising amovable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in engagement with the first and to hold said member spaced from the element, an electrical device connected with said contacts and controlled thereby, and means to shift said control member to permit the gauging member to move into engagement with the element and arrest movement of the first contact and to then shift the'second contact from the first to control said electrical device.

16. A gauging device comprising .a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element into engagement with the element to be gauged and arrest movement of the first contact and to then separate the second contact from the first to control said electrical device, a switch for controlling the electrical means, and means movable with the control member to control said switch.

17. A gauging device comprising a movable gauging member adapted to engage an element to be gauged, an electrical contact connected with said member to be positioned thereby, means tending to shift the member into engagement with the element, a movable control member, a contact connected with the control member and movable therewith, said control member tending to move to normally hold the second contact in'engagement with the first and to -hold said member spaced from the element, an electrical device connected with said contacts and controlled thereby, a plurality of selector circuits, selecting means movable with the control member for controlling said circuits, means controlled by said electrical device for controlling the selecting means, a movable selector adapted to receive the article being gauged after leaving the gauging position and direct it to different compartments, means in each circuit for shifting theselector means and each arranged to shift said selector a diiferent amount from each of the other circuits to position the selector, means for shifting the control member to permit the gauging member to engage the element tobe gauged and then separate the first contacts to control said electrical device, and means for shifting'the article from the gauging position to the selector. 

